Patents Examined by Spencer E Bell
  • Patent number: 11866867
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine. The laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller configured to increase or decrease stepwise a speed of a motor during dewatering. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a speed ripple during dewatering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungmoon Je, Kiwook Lee
  • Patent number: 11866871
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a pump, a gasket that is arranged between a case opening and a tub opening and that includes first nozzles and second nozzles, and a water pipe assembly that includes: first nozzle ports affixed to the first nozzles, second nozzle ports affixed to the second nozzles, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The gasket further includes port insertion pipes into which the first and second nozzle ports are inserted. Each of the first and second nozzle ports includes at least one press-fit protrusion that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle supply port and that is configured to, in a state in which the nozzle supply port is inserted into a corresponding port insertion pipe, maintain contact with an inner circumferential surface of the port insertion pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junghoon Lee, Kyungchul Woo, Jaehyun Kim, Myunghun Im, Hwanjin Jung
  • Patent number: 11854793
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer cleaning apparatus is provided. The semiconductor wafer cleaning apparatus includes a spin base, a spindle, a clamping member, and a first sealing ring. The spin base has a through hole and a flange. The spindle extends through the through hole. The clamping member covers the through hole and is connected to the spindle. The clamping member includes a mounting part. The first sealing ring is disposed under the clamping member. A top surface of the first sealing ring and a top surface of the flange are in contact with a bottom surface of the mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Lun Chen, Po-Jen Shih, Ming-Sung Hung, Wen-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11851799
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A motor assembly selectively rotates the wash basket, a drain pump assembly selectively drains wash fluid from the wash tub, and a camera assembly is used to monitor an out-of-balance value to minimize out-of-balance issues. Specifically, a controller of the washing machine appliance uses the camera assembly to obtain one or more images of the wash chamber, analyze the one or more images using a machine learning image recognition process to determine the out-of-balance value of the load of clothes in the wash basket, and perform a cloth redistribution process based at least in part on determining that the out-of-balance value is greater than a predetermined out-of-balance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Khalid Jamal Mashal, David Scott Dunn
  • Patent number: 11854792
    Abstract: A method for treating high aspect ratio (HAR) structures arranged on a surface of a substrate includes a) spin rinsing the surface of the substrate using a first rinsing liquid; b) spinning off the first rinsing liquid from the surface of the substrate; and c) directing a gas mixture containing hydrogen fluoride onto the surface of the substrate after the first rinsing liquid is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventors: Dries Dictus, Ta-Yu Lo
  • Patent number: 11845407
    Abstract: A cart cleaning machine has a foundation, a dock, a movable gantry, and a bellow assembly. The foundation has a cart path spanning the length of the foundation between a first end and a second end. Two side channels are also provided. A dock is stationarily mounted to the foundation. The dock has the shape of an inverted U to allow carts to pass through. The dock has a controller, a water inlet, an electrical hookup, a chemical station, and line management devices. The movable gantry is movable with respect to the foundation. It has a drive mechanism with sprockets that interact with bands spanning between the foundation ends. The gantry has spray nozzles and blow off openings. The bellow assembly is between the dock and the gantry. Water and electric lines pass through the bellow assembly and span between the dock and movable gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alliance Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nicholas van Zon, John Michael Wehner, Jason Daniel Krug, Kenneth John Manninen
  • Patent number: 11840789
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum of metal material configured to be rotated in the tub; an induction heater configured to be fixed to the tub in a state of being separated from the drum, and to heat the drum; a first temperature sensor configured to have a tube of metal material heated by the induction heater and a thermistor disposed in the tube, at least a part of the tube being exposed between the tub and the drum; a second temperature sensor configured to be disposed in a position further away than the first temperature sensor from the induction heater in a circumferential direction, and detect a temperature of air between the tub and the drum; and a controller configured to control the induction heater based on a first detection value of the first temperature sensor and a second detection value of the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seulgi Park, Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11840202
    Abstract: The vehicle control apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus includes a cleaning unit capable of performing a first cleaning operation to clean a detecting surface part of a LiDAR using cleaning fluid, and a cleaning control ECU configured to execute a first light-degree cleaning process to let the first cleaning unit perform a first cleaning operation for a first light-degree cleaning time. The cleaning control ECU executes the first light-degree cleaning process when a first light-degree cleaning condition becomes satisfied within a first allowable period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryusuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11840791
    Abstract: A washing method according to the present invention comprises: a first rotation step for rotating an inner tub; a rotating direction detecting step for detecting the rotating direction of the inner tub; and a second rotation step for starting to rotate the inner tub in the opposite direction to the rotating direction of the inner tub when the rotation of the inner tub stops in the first rotation step. When the inner tub stops over a predetermined time and then restarts, the inner tub starts to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotating direction when the inner tub stops, thereby reducing the eccentricity of the inside of the inner tub, inhibiting collisions between the inner tub and an outer tub, reducing noise during collisions, and improving the rotation performance of the inner tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunho Lee, Bonkwon Koo, Sunku Kwon, Sanghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11826797
    Abstract: A pipe snow removal device is supported for movement longitudinally along a pipe to clear snow and/or ice from the pipe. A main housing has boundary walls defining an outer boundary of a bounded space within a hollow interior of the main housing. An inner boundary of the bounded space is open to the pipe upon which the main housing is supported. A mounting arrangement supports the main housing relative to a work vehicle that is movable alongside the pipe to displace the main housing along the pipe. A heater heats the bounded space to melt the snow/ice on the pipe. A scraper assembly supported in leading relationship to the main housing clears loose snow before melting remaining snow and ice on the pipe as the housing passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: James A. McLeod
  • Patent number: 11826800
    Abstract: A cleaning system and process for cleaning a medical system comprising at least one air source at least one cleaning solution source at least one rinsing solution source and at least one switch for switching between the at least one air source, the at least one cleaning solution source, and said at least one rinsing solution source. The process is configured to selectively provide the cleaning solution from the cleaning solution source, selectively provide the rinsing solution source, and selectively providing the air pressure to purge the lines of a medical/dental system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Emack Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Guckenberger
  • Patent number: 11828015
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a washing machine, a drying machine disposed on the washing machine, and a control panel. The control panel including a first user interface configured to control the washing machine, a second user interface configured to control the drying machine, a first start/pause button configured to receive an input for starting or pausing an operating of the washing machine, a second user interface configured to receive an input for controlling the drying machine, and a display configured to display operation information of the washing machine and operation information of the drying machine. The apparatus configured to control an operation of the drying machine in response to an input received through the second start/pause button while operation information of the washing machine is displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 11814772
    Abstract: A device for use in a household appliance is disclosed, the device comprising: at least one casing, wherein the casing is configured to be placed in a treatment chamber of a household appliance; wherein the casing comprises at least one output module, which is configured to dispense at least one preparation into the treatment chamber of the household appliance and/or to trigger an output; and at least one sensor module, which is configured to determine sensor data characteristic of the condition of the treatment chamber of the household appliance and/or of the device; wherein the sensor module comprises at least one sensor, wherein the sensor data at least partially represents information determined by employing the at least one sensor; wherein the data determined by sensor is at least partially indicative of a load condition of the treatment chamber of the household appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez, Ingo Hardacker
  • Patent number: 11806763
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a substrate cleaning device includes a processing tank, at least one spray tube, and a scanning mechanism. The processing tank can accommodate a plurality of substrates arranged in a thickness direction of the substrates. The spray tube extends in the thickness direction and is configured to emit a cleaning liquid to each substrate accommodated in the processing tank. The scanning mechanism is configured to move the spray tube along an outer periphery of the substrate to perform a scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11807974
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating a bespoke laundry treatment recipe includes receiving fabric data related to one or more of stain identity, fabric identity, user requirements and user preference; comparing by means of a data processing system said input data with ingredient combination data stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and formulating one or more laundry treatment recipes, said recipes being bespoke to the user input data; wherein said ingredient combination data comprises: multiple ingredient composition data; multiple combinations of said ingredient compositions; and multiple treatment (e.g. stain) categories related to said ingredient composition combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Jane Cooke, David Moorfield, Katharine Jane Shaw
  • Patent number: 11805965
    Abstract: A dish rack is supported for both selective movement into and out of a washing chamber of a dishwasher tub and vertically relative to the tub, with the vertical adjustment being made by manually grasping and shifting at least one frontal cross bar extending about a front wall of the dish rack to cause pivoting of first and second lever members extending along sides of the dish rack. The side lever members cooperate with latching mechanisms to lift and retain the dish rack in a select raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Harshal J. Bhajak, Joseph T. Ferencevich, Gerald J. McNerney, Thomas M. O'Brien, Mihir Ponkshe, Amit K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 11795608
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a door, and a steam unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a heat pump unit that is located in the cycle chamber and that is configured to circulate and condition air in the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a water supply tank that is installed in the tank installation space, that is connected to the steam unit, and that is configured to supply water to the steam unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a drainage tank that is separably installed in the tank installation space, that is configured to store condensed water generated in at least one of the treatment chamber or the heat pump unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a water supply level sensor. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a drainage level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunghoo Park, Youngjin Doh, Hyoungsup Park
  • Patent number: 11779152
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Petrus Maria Dessing, Koen Standaar, Hendrik Johan Dees
  • Patent number: 11780409
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing attachable to a vehicle and including a panel, a sensor window, a liquid nozzle fixed relative to the housing, and a tunnel. The panel includes a port. The sensor window is positioned in the port. The liquid nozzle is aimed at the sensor window. The liquid nozzle is positioned in a first horizontal direction from the port along the panel. The tunnel extends along the panel and is positioned in a second horizontal direction from the port, the second horizontal direction being opposite the first horizontal direction. The tunnel terminates at an opening positioned to receive fluid outputted by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Hamilton, Michael Robertson, Jr., Rashaun Phinisee, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Patent number: 11772612
    Abstract: A vehicle cleaner system includes: a cleaner unit mounted on a vehicle and configured to clean an external sensor acquiring information on outside of the vehicle; an advanced notification information acquiring unit configured to acquire expressway advanced notification information notifying that the vehicle has arrived within a predetermined distance from an entrance of an expressway; and a cleaner control unit configured to, when the advanced notification information acquiring unit has acquired the expressway advanced notification information, control the cleaner unit to clean the external sensor or diagnose whether or not the external sensor needs to be cleaned by the cleaner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Kazuki Kawamura, Akinobu Kubota, Masaaki Sato